Presidential race continues following Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis
Erin Schaff/The New York Times
We ran the numbers: There are 2136 news articles covering this topic. 51% (1088) are left leaning, 39% (836) are center, and 10% (212) are right leaning.
With many feeling heartbroken and grieving over the loss of their loved ones at the hands of Covid-19, we now hear that our own President has been afflicted with the disease and wonder how his condition and public perception will impact the remainder of the presidential race. While left leaning articles emphasize Trump’s negligence in dealing with this crisis, right leaning articles admonish those who imply that Trump had it coming or deserved to get sick.
A left leaning article published by CNN discusses the 20,000 empty chairs placed near the White House as a way to collectively commemorate and mourn roughly 210,000 individuals who passed away because of the pandemic. Covid Survivors for Change (a group of Covid-19 victims’ families and survivors) orchestrated the act of remembrance, and also declared that October 4th would be a national day of remembrance for those who perished from the disease. Chris Kocher, the founder of Covid Survivors for Change, explained that the event was a way to recognize that “we are living through this collective national trauma — we’re six months into the pandemic and still sort of reeling from it.” He explained that the event was necessary as a mode of acknowledging and supporting those impacted by the illness, as well as a platform to demand that lawmakers act swiftly in order to prevent more deaths.
A centrist article from The Hill ponders how the debate and Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis will impact the direction of the upcoming election. A survey conducted by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News reported Democratic Nominee, Joe Biden, as the current front-runner, with a 14-point lead over the sitting president. Battleground State surveys by The New York Times and Siena College reported Biden as the front runner in both Pennsylvania and Florida. The article also indicates that Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis could have grave consequences for his campaign. Having “several key members of the president’s reelection team” positive for Covid (including his campaign manager, presidential aides, debate advisor and chair of the RNC) will likely cause chaos and gaps in support and aide. Historically, presidential illness has galvanized sympathy for an incumbent, however in this case, Trump’s “callous disregard for the suffering of millions of Americans afflicted by the pandemic” may stand in the way of him receiving this sympathy and support.
An opinionated right leaning article from Fox News discusses the “truly awful people” who celebrated the news of the Presidential illness. In the article, Michael Goodwin admonishes those who deviated from decency, such as House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi who is quoted as saying that the president had “issued a ‘brazen invitation’ to the deadly virus by meeting with people and holding rallies.” Goodwin passionately scolded those who displayed crudeness toward Trump, describing them as “evil” and “brainless.” He noted that Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, issued a “gracious note wishing him and Melania well.” He concludes by saying that if you are Anti-Trump show that by voting, rather than rooting for deteriorations in his health.
From the left
The New York Times
From the right
Michael Goodwin: Trump's Covid diagnosis – left displays a shameful lack of decency
Fox News